Basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma is a skin cancer of the cells of the outer layer of the skin known as basal cells. The main cause is cause is sun exposure, although other factors can play a role such your genetic inheritance.

They often appear as a small growth on the skin that can look pearly, which scabbing, crusting or bleeding. At times, the area can appear to be healing itself, only to scab, crust or bleed again.

Basal cell carcinoma is often called a low risk skin cancer as there is little chance of this type of skin cancer spreading to other body sites.

Special sites on the body, such as the ear, scalp, nose or lip need to be treated more urgently as these are locations from which spread is more common.

Basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid

This image shows basal cell carcinoma affecting the right lower eyelid, which was removed by Mohs surgery.